Faulty Harness Strap Chest Clips May Fracture;
Posing a Laceration Risk and Choking Hazard to Children

Britax Child Safety, Inc., is announcing a recall of 17,251 Chaperon Infant Car Seats sold in the United States because the occupant harness chest clip may break as an infant is being secured into the car seat. Britax is also recalling 2,350 of the same seats sold in Canada.

Britax said the sharp edges of the broken chest clip "creates a risk of injury" both to the child and/or care giver and can create a choking hazard to the infant.

The car seat manufacturer said it had approximately 400 complaints of broken chest clips, including reports of three minor injuries (scratches) to children or caregivers, and one report of a child placing a broken component of a chest clip into the mouth.

Britax said it would mail replacement chest clips free of charge to all registered owners and to retailers with current inventory by November 11, 2010. Consumers who have not registered their car seat with Britax should contact Britax to receive a free replacement chest clip.

Britax said if the chest clip is broken, remove it from the harness along with any fragments found. Consumers should continue to use the car seats without the chest clip until the replacement chest clip is installed.

Consumers wishing to get further information about this recall, or order the free replacement chest clip should contact Britax Child Safety, Inc., at (888) 427-4829 or at www.chaperoneseatrecall.com